Friday, September 12, 2008

Turn on the oven, it's time to roast some garlic!

What's that? You've never roasted garlic? Well, until a few months ago, neither had I. After hours of searching the internet and neglecting my children, laundry piling up in the corner, dishes filling my sink, I finally found a "fail-proof" way to roast garlic. Other than forgetting it's in the oven and allowing it to burn I don't know if you can fail at roasting garlic.

You need some kosher salt, olive oil and garlic. You also need a small piece of aluminum foil. Turn the oven up to 350 degrees. Take a small pice of aluminum foil and roll up the edges just a bit to form an edge so nothing drips onto the bottom of your oven. Next you need to chop off the top of the head of garlic. Make sure all of the cloves are exposed otherwise the skin will roast onto the garlic and you'll never get it out. Don't ask me how I know this. Once you've cut off the top place the head of garlic on the foil. Drizzle with oil. There's no magic amount here, just make sure the garlic is saturated in oil. Then take a pinch or two of kosher salt and sprinkle over the garlic. Place the foil directly on the rack in your oven and let it rost for 30 mins.

The garlic should look like this when it's done. Not burnt but definitely browned. The cloves should be soft. If they aren't brown or seem a bit firm continue to roast. Make sure you keep an eye on them or they will burn. Again, don't ask me how I know this.

You'll want to squeeze the bottom of the head of garlic and the cloves will just pop out. It's actually kinda fun. It's also very messy. It's oily and salty and sticky. It's like playing in glue. I love having messy hands and fingers. I was also digging in the dirt and playing with worms when I was young. My daughter is the same way. It took her awhile, but she's finally come around to digging into the worm box to get us worms when we're fishing. But that's a story for another post, a non-food post. I'm quickly losing my appetite.

So once all of the cloves have been lifted from the head you're ready to go. You can place the cloves in an air-tight container covered in olive oil for up to a month. I like to make roasted garlic hummus! I also make roasted garlic mashed potatoes. It's really up to you...unless you've invited me over, then I want hummus! I'll be posting a recipe for hummus soon!

Ok, now get yourself to the store and pick up as much garlic as you can get your hands on. Then rush home and roast some garlic. Your house will smell lovely and your husband will walk thru the door and think you've prepared a huge Italian meal! Surprise!